Creativity to be put on display in Terrace, B.C.

A contest offering cash prizes for creative ideas wraps up this weekend.

Organized by the Skeena-Nass Centre for Innovation in Resource Economics (SNCIRE), the Northwest Innovation Challenge is looking for ideas to use local resources or other means to benefit the region.

SNCIRE has $11,000 in prize money to offer with 10 finalists receiving $250 each to prepare a presentation of the innovation idea to be shown as a public gathering taking place just after the society’s annual general meeting this Friday, May 9.

The innovators and their ideas and displays will be judged on five criteria: strength of Innovation, regional relevancy, impact, appeal of display and enthusiasm.

People can vote for their choice and the remaining $8,500 will be given out as cash prizes.

First, second and third prizes are valued at $1,750, $1,250 and $1,000. A $2,500 Terrace Community Forest prize will got to the most innovative use of a bio-product.

A $1,000 UNBC Northwest prize will go to the most innovative entry that addresses the needs and opportunities of Northern BC. Plus anyone at the event can vote for the $1,000 People’s Choice Award.

The challenge takes place at 7 p.m. at the Sherwood Mountain Brewhouse, located in the same building as the Creative Zone, just after SNCIRE’s annual general meeting which is also being held at the brewhouse from 5 to 6 p.m.

It’ll be the last meeting of the organization which is closing down after failing to secure enough money to keep operating.

The prize money comes from a small surplus and is being used with the permission of those who provided it.